Reclosable Dispensing Container Cap For Flowable Material Containers

ABSTRACT

A reclosable dispensing container cap for dispensing flowable material from a container is disclosed. An inner cap is provided which defines a passageway adapted to be placed in fluid communication with a container nozzle. The inner cap defines a first aperture in fluid communication between the passageway and an exterior of the inner cap. An outer cap is provided to surround the inner cap such that the outer cap is slidably rotatable in relation to the inner cap between at least a first position and a second position. The outer cap defines a second aperture disposed along the outer cap such that the second aperture is in substantial registration with the first aperture when the outer cap is rotated to the first position and out of registration with the first aperture when the outer cap is rotated to the second position.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

Not Applicable

STATEMENT REGARDING FEDERALLY SPONSORED RESEARCH OR DEVELOPMENT

Not Applicable

FIELD OF INVENTION

This invention relates to re-closable dispensing containers for flowablematerial, particularly non-liquids and semi-liquids such as tooth paste,creams, glue, condiments such as mayonnaise, catsup, and other materialsof like consistency. In particular, the present invention relates to anovel cap structure useful with flowable material containers.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

When dispensing flowable material, such as tooth paste, for example froma collapsible container, the collapse of the container builds uppressure within the container which forces contents of the container outof the container through some form of exit portal in the container andpositions the expelled contents for recovery of the contents by a user.When this mode of dispensing the contents from the container involves anon-liquid or semi-liquid flowable material, as opposed to a liquidmaterial, cessation of pressure applied to collapse the containercommonly results in delayed or continued expulsion of such contentsafter the user has released application of pressure applied forcollapsing the container and has recovered the desired quantity of thecontainer contents. This delayed delivery of container contents throughthe exit portal of the container provides a residue of contentsproximate the exit portal which tends to dry over time with concomitantbuild up of an undesirable accumulation of container contents about theexit portal. Such accumulation of container contents not only isvisually distasteful, it tends to be pushed from the exit portal byadvancing container contents during a subsequent dispensing event. Dueto the tenacity with which the dried accumulation adheres to the exitportal, excessive expulsion pressure often is needed to dislodge thedried accumulated contents. This action also often results in an evenmore undesired quantity of contents being expelled from the containerduring such subsequent use event by the user. In addition to thiswasteful dispensing of the unwanted or unneeded container contents, thedried and hardened accumulated contents become an undesired part of suchsubsequently recovered container contents, even to the point ofrequiring disposal of such subsequently recovered contents and thenrepeating the dispensing and recovery action to acquire the desiredquantity of “fresh” container contents. The common collapsible tubularcontainer for tooth paste is one example of a prior container whichexhibits this undesirable feature. In this instance, sanitation of thedispensed residual contents also may become a problem.

SUMMARY OF PRESENT INVENTION

In one embodiment, the process invention comprises a novel exit portalfor a container designed to dispense individual quantities of a flowablematerial, such as for example a paste material, from the container atselectable spaced apart times. One embodiment of the present inventionis adapted to be used with a container which includes a conventionalthreaded tubular dispensing nozzle associated with, (commonly integralwith), and projecting from one end of the container. In one embodimentof the present invention, a substantially conical inner cap having aninternally threaded open base and of a first color is provided. Theinternal threads of the inner cap are adapted to be threadably mountedon the external threads of the neck portion of the nozzle such that theinner cap may be tightened on the nozzle to secure the inner cap inplace during repeated events of dispensing of flowable material out ofthe container over the anticipated life of the container. When sothreaded on the nozzle neck, the distal end of the nozzle opens into theinterior of the inner cap to develop a passageway for flow of containercontents from the container through the nozzle, and into the interior ofthe inner cap. Further, the inner cap includes an aperture through thewall of the inner cap which provides for the outflow of containercontents from the reservoir through the aperture.

The inner cap has applied thereover an outer cap of a contrasting colorto the color of the inner cap. The outer cap snugly fits over and coversthe outer surface of the inner cap while providing for rotation of theouter cap relative to the inner cap without permitting material physicalseparation of these caps from one another. In one embodiment, the outercap is affixed to the inner cap by a rotationally slidable snap fit ofthe outer cap onto a peripheral groove defined on the exterior of theinner cap, thereby permitting rotation of the outer cap relative to theinner cap.

The presence of the outer cap in covering relationship to the inner capfunctions to establish opening and closure of the aperture through theinner cap. To this end, the outer cap also includes an aperture throughthe wall of the outer cap, such aperture being of like or similar sizeand geometry as the aperture in the wall of the inner cap, so that whensuch aperture of the outer cap is in register with the aperture of theinner cap, outflow of the contents of the container along an exitpassageway including the nozzle, the inner cap passageway, and theregistered apertures of the inner and outer caps to the exterior of theouter cap may occur. Closure of the aperture through the inner cap isaffected by rotating the outer cap such that the apertures of the capsare out of register. Control over dispensing of the contents of thecontainer is therefore effected by rotation of the outer cap into andout of register with the aperture of the inner cap. In one embodiment,the physical fit of the outer cap on the inner cap is selected toprovide sliding physical engagement of the inner surface of the outercap with the outer surface of the inner cap, thereby minimizing or fullyeliminating any tendency of outflowing contents of the container fromflowing between the contiguous surfaces of the inner and outer caps, andthereby precluding build up of container contents between the matchingsurfaces of the inner and outer caps at all times, irrespective ofwhether the apertures of the inner and outer caps are in register (open)or out of register (closed).

In certain embodiments, the rotation of the outer cap is limited in oneof the clockwise and counterclockwise directions by a stop lug affixedto one of the inner and outer caps and which rides within a curved slotdefined in the other of the inner and outer caps. Positioning of suchstop lug and slot is chosen such that when the outer cap is rotated adistance sufficient to move the aperture of the outer cap out ofregister with the aperture in the inner cap, one end of the slot engagesthe stop to halt further rotation of the outer cap in the samedirection. In similar manner, the opposite end of the slot is locatedsuch that when the outer cap is rotated to bring the aperture of theouter cap into register with the aperture of the inner cap, thisopposite end of the slot engages the stop lug to halt further rotationof the outer cap beyond such registration. In certain embodiments, auser may look into the aperture of the outer cap and note the appearanceof the contrasting color of the inner cap, thereby indicating that theaperture of the inner cap is closed.

In certain embodiments, the outer circumference of the perimetral flangeof the outer cap is of a geometry providing an aid for grasping androtation of the outer cap. In one embodiment, the diametral dimension ofcross section of the outer cap is chosen to provide for fitting of thedispensing end of the container snugly within an outer shippingcontainer, thereby stabilizing the position of the container within suchshipping container.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

FIG. 1 is a cross-sectional exploded view of one embodiment of areclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containers ofthe present invention, along with a portion of a container for aflowable material;

FIG. 2 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of a reclosabledispensing container cap for flowable material containers and thecontainer portion of FIG. 1;

FIG. 3 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a reclosabledispensing container cap for flowable material containers of FIG. 1,depicting the outer cap in a closed position in relation to the innercap;

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a reclosabledispensing container cap for flowable material containers of FIG. 1,depicting the outer cap in an open position in relation to the innercap;

FIG. 5 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of areclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containers ofthe present invention, along with a portion of a container for aflowable material;

FIG. 6 is a cross-sectional view of the embodiment of a reclosabledispensing container cap for flowable material containers and thecontainer portion of FIG. 5;

FIG. 7 is a bottom perspective view of the inner cap portion of thereclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containers ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 8 is a bottom perspective view of the outer cap portion of thereclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containers ofFIG. 5;

FIG. 9 is a perspective view of the embodiment of a reclosabledispensing container cap for flowable material containers of FIG. 5,depicting the outer cap in a closed position in relation to the innercap; and

FIG. 10 is a cross-sectional exploded view of another embodiment of areclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containers ofthe present invention, depicting the inner cap integrally formed with acontainer for a flowable material.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

A reclosable dispensing container cap for flowable material containersincorporating various features of the present invention is disclosedherein and illustrated generally in the Figures. The reclosabledispensing container cap, or “reclosable cap,” is designed to dispenseindividual quantities of a flowable material, such as for example apaste material, from the container at selectable spaced apart timesemploying application of internal pressure within the container andagainst the container contents.

With initial reference to FIG. 1, in the depicted embodiment of thepresent invention, a collapsible tubular container 10 of the type knownin the art suitable for receipt and dispending of a flowable material14, such as tooth paste or other flowable material, is provided with anozzle 12 through which the contents of the container 16 may bedispensed. In the depicted embodiment, this nozzle includes a tubularneck portion 18 having a first end 20 which may be fixedly secured to afirst end 22 of the tubular container, or, preferably, integrally formedwith the container. The depicted nozzle 12 includes external threads 24substantially along its length. The opposite second end 26 of the nozzleis open.

Referring to FIGS. 1 and 2, a substantially conical inner cap 28 isprovided defining a sloping inner wall 34 and an apex 36. The inner cap28 is internally threaded at its base 30 with threads 32, which matchthe external threads on the neck portion 18 of the nozzle 12.Accordingly, the base 30 of the inner cap 28 may be threaded onto thenozzle 12 to the extent that such inner cap 28 resists unintentionalremoval of the inner cap 28 from the nozzle 12. This mounting of theinner cap 28 onto the nozzle 12 further brings the sloping inner wall 34of the apex 36 of the inner cap 28 into sealing engagement with thedistal second end 26 of the nozzle 12 thereby defining, with the nozzle12, a reservoir 38 for the receipt and storage of container contentswithin such reservoir. When the inner cap 28 is so mounted, the tubularnozzle 12 defines an open passageway between the interior of thecontainer and the reservoir.

In the several Figures there is depicted an aperture 42 through the wallof the inner cap 28 proximate the apex 36 which provides for flowcommunication between the interior of the container 10, through thetubular portion of the nozzle 12, through the aperture 42 of the innercap 28 to an exterior of the inner cap 28. Thus, when the aperture 42 ofthe inner cap 28 is uncovered, collapse of the container 10 may forcecontents 16 of the container 10 through the nozzle 12 and the reservoir38 into and through the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28.

In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, the inner cap 28is substantially surrounded and covered by an outer cap 44 whichexhibits an inner surface 46 of a geometry which permits the innersurface 46 of the outer cap 44 to snugly, slidably fit in coveringrelationship to the outer surface 48 of the inner cap 28 withoutgenerating material physical separation of these contiguous surfaces ofthe two caps 28, 44. In the depicted embodiment, such outer cap 44further includes a bottom peripheral flange 50 proximate the base 52 ofthe outer cap 44 which overlies and slidably engages a correspondingperipheral flange 54 on the inner cap 28.

A circumferential lip 56 provided on the inner surface 46 of the outercap 44 proximate a junction 58 of the flange 50 with the base 52 of theouter cap 44 is snap fitted into a corresponding circumferential groove62 in an outer surface 48 of the inner cap 28, thereby ensuringcontinued snug engagement of the outer cap 44 on the inner cap 28 whilesimultaneously providing for rotation of the outer cap 44 relative tothe inner cap 28.

As depicted in FIG. 1, the outer cap 44 is provided with an aperture 66through its wall at an altitude 68 corresponding to that altitude 70 ofthe inner cap 28 along which the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 islocated. Rotation of the outer cap 44 relative to the inner cap 28provides for selective location of the aperture 66 of the outer cap 44along the corresponding altitudes 68, 70 such that the apertures 42, 66may be aligned in register with one another, thereby completing theformation of an overall exit flow passageway 72 for container contents16 from the interior of the container 10 to the exterior of the outercap 44 where such contents may be recovered by a user.

In the illustrated embodiment, the degree of rotation of the outer cap44 and its aperture 66 is bidirectionally limited. In the depictedembodiment, the peripheral flange 54 of the inner cap 28 is providedwith an upstanding stop lug 74 in position to be slidably receivedwithin a slot 76 defined in the overlying flange 50 of the outer cap 44.As seen in FIGS. 3 and 4, the length and location of a first end 78 ofsuch slot 76 is selected to permit that degree of rotation of the outercap 44 relative to the inner cap 28 which will locate the aperture 66 ofthe outer cap 44 out of register with the aperture 42 of the inner cap28, thereby closing off the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 (see FIG.3). This action effects closing of the exit passageway 72 for dispensingof the contents of the container by reason of the solid wall of theouter cap 44 moving into overlying relationship to the aperture 42 ofthe inner cap 28.

Referring to FIG. 4, rotation of the outer cap 44 in a direction such asto move the stop lug 74 away from the slot first end 78 is stopped whenthe opposite second end 80 of the slot 76 engages the stop lug 74 of theinner cap flange 54. Thus, the location of the stop lug 74 and thesecond end 80 of the slot 76 in the flange 50 of the outer cap 44 may bechosen to halt rotation of the outer cap 44 when the aperture 66 of theouter cap 44 comes into register with the aperture 42 of the inner cap42, thereby opening up the exit passageway 72 and allowing outflow ofcontents 16 of the container 10 to the exterior of the outer cap 44 inposition for recovery of dispensed container contents by a user of thecontainer.

When the dispensed contents of the container 10 are recovered by a user,the outer cap 44 may be rotated relative to the fixed inner cap 28 torelocate the aperture 66 of the outer cap 44 out of register with theaperture 42 of the inner cap 28, thereby closing the exit passageway 72.In several embodiments, a visual indicator is provided to indicatewhether the exit passageway 72 is open or closed. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, the inner cap 28 is colored a color 82 whichcontrasts the coloring of both the container contents 16 and the outercap 44. In this embodiment, upon movement of the aperture 66 of theouter cap 44 out of register with the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28,the aperture 66 of the outer cap 44 may be cleared of dispensedcontainer contents to the extent that the user may look into theaperture 66 of the outer cap 44 and see the contrasting color 82 of theinner cap 28, thereby providing a visual indication that the exitpassageway 72 is closed.

Referring to FIGS. 2 through 4, the outboard circumference 84 of theflange 50 of the outer cap 44 is of a geometry, (e.g., scalloped) whichfunctions as an aid in grasping the outer cap 44 for rotation of theouter cap 44 in relation to the inner cap 28 when opening and closingthe flow path 72 for dispensing of the contents of the container 10 viathe registered apertures 42, 66 of the inner and outer caps 28, 44.Referring to FIG. 2, in the illustrated embodiment, the outer cap 44 issized to fit neatly within a standard shipping/storage outer container86 of the container 10 such that the outer cap 44 is configured to aidin stabilizing the container 10 within the shipping/storage outercontainer 86.

In one embodiment, the scalloped perimetral flange 50 of the outer cap44 is maximized to enhance the ability of a user to grasp such scallopedflange 50 for retrieving the container 10 from a shipping or storageholder and subsequently grasping of the flange 50 of the outer cap 44for rotation of such outer cap 44 in the course of aligning theapertures 42, 66 of the inner and outer caps 28, 44 for dispensing ofthe container contents 16, and thereafter counter rotating the outer cap44 to close the exit passageway 72 against further flowable materialsfrom exiting the container 10. This maximized size feature of thepresent embodiment is especially useful where the user suffers from lossof grasping strength due to stroke, Parkison's Disease, tremors, orother like ailments. Still further, the present enlarged scallopedflange 50 on the outer cap 44 eliminates the frustrations associatedwith prior art small caps such as dropping the cap onto the floor orinto a sink drain. This latter advantage is enhanced by reason of thesnap fit of the outer cap 44 onto the inner cap 28 whereby the rotationof the outer cap 44 relative to the inner cap 28 when opening andclosing the exit passageway 72 for the contents of the container 10 iseasily accomplished and without concern for inadvertent removal of theouter cap 44 from the inner cap 28.

FIGS. 5 through 9 illustrate another embodiment of the presentinvention. As shown in FIGS. 5 and 6, in one embodiment a substantiallyelongated inner cap 28 a is provided having a substantially hollowspherical upper portion 88 in fluid communication with an elongatedtubular central portion 90 and a tubular lower portion 92. The lowerportion 92 of the inner cap 28 a is provided with internal threading 32which matches the external threads 24 on the nozzle 12 of the container10, and a bottom peripheral flange 54 is provided at a lower end 94 ofthe inner cap lower portion 92. The aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 a isprovided through the wall of the spherical upper portion 88 of the innercap 28 a and provides for flow communication between the nozzle 12 ofthe container 10, through the tubular central and lower portions 90, 92of the of the inner cap 28 a, through the spherical upper portion 88 ofthe inner cap 28 a, to an exterior of the inner cap 28.

In the illustrated embodiment, the inner cap 28 a is surrounded andcovered by a substantially conical outer cap 44 a. An apex portion 96 ofthe outer cap 44 a defines an inner spherical surface 98 having ageometry which permits the inner spherical surface 98 of the outer cap44 a to snugly, slidably fit in covering relationship to the sphericalupper portion 88 of the inner cap 28 a without generating materialphysical separation of these contiguous surfaces of the two caps 28 a,44 a. The apex portion 96 of the outer cap 44 a further defines anaperture 66 through its wall at an altitude corresponding to thataltitude of the inner cap 28 a along which the aperture 42 of the innercap 28 a is located, such that rotation of the outer cap 44 a relativeto the inner cap 28 a provides for selective location of the aperture 66of the outer cap 44 a in registration with the aperture 42 of the innercap 28 a, thereby completing the formation of an overall exit flowpassageway 72 for container contents 16 from the interior of thecontainer 10 to the exterior of the outer cap 44 a.

A lower boundary of the inner spherical surface 98 of the outer cap 44 aterminates to define a circumferential inner lip 56 a to allow the outercap 44 a to be snap fitted into a corresponding circumferential groove62 a defined by the intersection between the upper portion 88 andcentral portion 90 of the inner cap 28 a, thereby ensuring continuedsnug engagement of the outer cap 44 a on the inner cap 28 a whilesimultaneously providing for rotation of the outer cap 44 a relative tothe inner cap 28 a. In the depicted embodiment, a lower peripheral edge100 of the outer cap 44 a extends downwardly and outwardly to the outerperimeter 102 of the peripheral flange 54 of the inner cap 28 a, suchthat the outer cap 44 a overlies and slidably engages the peripheralflange 54 of the inner cap 28 a.

In the depicted embodiment, the inner cap 28 a is provided with acentral flange 104 surrounding an intersection between the centralportion 90 and the lower portion 92 of the inner cap 28 a. The centralflange 104 defines a channel 76 a which is adapted to slidably receiveand engage an internally protruding stop lug 74 a defined along aninterior surface 46 a of the outer cap 44 a. As seen in FIGS. 7 and 8,the length and location of a first end 78 a of such slot 76 a isselected to permit that degree of rotation of the outer cap 44 arelative to the inner cap 28 a which will locate the aperture 66 of theouter cap 44 a out of register with the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28a, thereby closing off the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 a.Conversely, the location of a second end 80 a of such slot 76 a isselected to permit rotation of the outer cap 44 a relative to the innercap 28 a to locate the aperture 66 of the outer cap 44 a in registrationwith the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 a, thereby opening the aperture42 of the inner cap 28 a and completing the formation of an overall exitflow passageway 72 for container contents 16 from the interior of thecontainer 10 to the exterior of the outer cap 44 a. In the illustratedembodiment, a slight constriction 106 of the slot 76 a is defined at adistance from each of the first and second ends 78 a, 80 a, of the slot76 a approximately equal to the overall width of the stop lug 74 a. Eachof the constrictions 106 of the slot 76 a provides at least some measureof frictional resistance to sliding of the stop lug 74 a along the slot76 a beyond the constriction 106, yet does not completely preventsliding of the stop lug 74 a along the slot 76 a beyond the constriction106. Thus, in this embodiment, rotation of the outer cap 44 a relativeto the inner cap 28 a sufficient to slide the stop lug 74 a beyond oneof the constrictions 106 and to locate the stop lug 74 a at thecorresponding end 78 a, 80 a of the slot 76 a results in engagement ofthe stop lug 74 a by the corresponding constriction 106 to frictionallysecure the stop lug 74 a at the corresponding end 78 a, 80 a of the slot76 a, thereby releasably securing the outer cap 44 a in its positionrelative to the inner cap 28 a at the respective limit of rotationprovided by the slot 76 a and stop lug 74 a.

Referring again to FIGS. 5 and 6, in the illustrated embodiment, theportion of the wall forming the apex 96 of the outer cap 44 a, andspecifically the portion of the wall of the outer cap 44 a surroundingthe aperture 66 of the outer cap 44 a is of a relatively thin width ascompared to the remainder of the outer cap 44 a. Such thin width of thewall of the outer cap 44 a surrounding the aperture 66 serves to reducethe overall volume of the aperture 66. Thus, in this embodiment, afterdispensing of contents 16 from within the container 10 to an exterior ofthe outer cap 44 a, and upon movement of the aperture 66 of the outercap 44 a out of register with the aperture 42 of the inner cap 28 a,retention of container contents 16 within the aperture 66 of the outercap 44 a external to the inner cap 28 a is minimized. Referring to FIG.9, as discussed above, any container contents 16 retained within theaperture 66 may be cleared therefrom to the extent that the user maylook into the aperture 66 of the outer cap 44 a and see the contrastingcolor 82 of the inner cap 28 a, thereby providing a visual indicationthat the exit passageway 72 is closed

Referring to FIG. 9, the outer surface 108 of the outer cap 44 a definesa plurality of indentations 110 which allow the outer cap 44 a to definea geometry, (e.g., scalloped) which functions as an aid in grasping theouter cap 44 a for rotation of the outer cap 44 a in relation to theinner cap 28 a when opening and closing the flow path 72 for dispensingof the contents of the container 10 via the registered apertures 42, 66of the inner and outer caps 28 a, 44 a. Referring to FIG. 6, the innerand outer caps 28 a, 44 a are sized to span a width dimension of thecontainer 10 such that the combination of the inner and outer caps 28 a,44 a blend to the natural size, shape, and contour of the container 10.Of course, those skilled in the art will recognize that the inner andouter caps 28 a, 44 a can be sized to conform to other dimensionalrequirements without departing from the spirit and scope of the presentinvention.

It will be understood that the reclosable dispensing container cap forflowable material may be combined with a container to produce areclosable dispensing container for flowable material without departingfrom the spirit and scope of the present invention. For example, in theembodiment of FIG. 10, the inner cap 28 b is integrally formed with thecontainer 10 a. An outer cap 44 b is provided which is adapted tosubstantially cover and surround the inner cap 28 b. A lower peripheraledge 100 of the outer cap 44 b extends downwardly and outwardly towardthe container 10 a, such that the outer cap 44 a overlies and slidablyengages a portion of the container 10 a proximate the inner cap 28 b. Inthis embodiment, the inner cap 28 b is non-removable from the container10 a, such that upon emptying the contents 16 of the container 10 a, theinner and outer caps 28 b, 44 b may be discarded with the emptycontainer 10 a.

From the foregoing description, it will be understood by one of skillinthe art that a reclosable dispensing container cap for flowable materialis disclosed. The reclosable dispensing container cap for flowablematerial provides a clean and reliable means of opening and sealing aflowable material container for dispensing of flowable contents withinthe container. While the present invention has been illustrated bydescription of several embodiments and while the illustrativeembodiments have been described in considerable detail, it is not theintention of the applicant to restrict or in any way limit the scope ofthe appended claims to such detail. Additional advantages andmodifications will readily appear to those skilled in the art. Theinvention in its broader aspects is therefore not limited to thespecific details, representative apparatus and methods, and illustrativeexamples shown and described. Accordingly, departures may be made fromsuch details without departing from the spirit or scope of applicant'sgeneral inventive concept.

1. A reclosable dispensing container cap for dispensing flowablematerial from a container having a nozzle, said reclosable dispensingcontainer cap comprising: an inner cap defining a passageway adapted tobe placed in fluid communication with the container nozzle, said innercap defining a first aperture in fluid communication between saidpassageway and an exterior of said inner cap; and an outer cap adaptedto surround an outer surface of said inner cap, said outer cap beingslidably rotatable in relation to said inner cap between at least afirst position and a second position, said outer cap defining a secondaperture disposed along said outer cap such that said second aperture isin substantial registration with said first aperture when said outer capis rotated to said first position and out of registration with saidfirst aperture when said outer cap is rotated to said second position;whereby rotation of said outer cap to said first position aligns saidfirst and second apertures to establish an overall exit flow passagewayfor container contents from the interior of the container to an exteriorof the outer cap, and whereby rotation of said outer cap to said secondposition misaligns said first and second apertures to allow said outercap to substantially close off said first aperture.
 2. The reclosabledispensing container cap of claim 1, wherein said inner cap defines aninternally threaded base adapted to be threaded onto an externallythreaded container nozzle to secure said inner cap in fluidcommunication with the nozzle.
 3. The reclosable dispensing containercap of claim 1, said outer cap defining a contoured portion adapted toassist in gripping said outer cap to rotate said outer cap in relationto said inner cap.
 4. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim3, said contoured portion comprising a peripheral flange proximate abase of said outer cap.
 5. The reclosable dispensing container cap ofclaim 4, said peripheral flange having a perimeter defining a scallopedgeometry.
 6. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim 1, saidouter cap being in engagement with said inner cap to ensure continuedsnug engagement of said outer cap on said inner cap while simultaneouslyproviding for rotation of said outer cap relative to said inner cap. 7.The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim 6, said outer capdefining a circumferential lip provided on an inner surface of saidouter cap adapted to snap fit into a corresponding circumferentialgroove in an outer surface of said inner cap.
 8. The reclosabledispensing container cap of claim 1, wherein rotation of said outer caprelative to said inner cap is limited between said first and secondpositions.
 9. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim 1 furtherincluding a slot defined by one of said inner and outer caps and a stoplug defined by the other of said inner and outer caps, said stop lugbeing slidably received within and engaged by said slot to limitrotation of said outer cap relative to said inner cap between said firstand second positions.
 10. The reclosable dispensing container cap ofclaim 1 further including an indicator for indicating whether said firstaperture is closed off by said outer cap.
 11. The reclosable dispensingcontainer cap of claim 10, wherein an outer surface of said inner capproximate said first aperture is of a color in contrast to a color ofsaid outer cap, whereby inspection of said second aperture to determinewhether said inner cap color is visible through said second apertureprovides indication of whether said first aperture is closed off by saidouter cap.
 12. A reclosable dispensing container cap for dispensingflowable material from a container having a nozzle, said reclosabledispensing container cap comprising: an inner cap having a substantiallyspherical upper portion, a tubular central portion, and a lower portion,said inner cap defining a passageway between said upper, central, andlower portions, said lower portion defining a fastener adapted to placesaid passageway in fluid communication with the container nozzle, saidinner cap upper portion defining a first aperture in fluid communicationbetween said passageway and an exterior of said inner cap; and an outercap defining an upper portion having an inner surface mated to saidinner cap upper portion, said outer cap being slidably rotatable inrelation to said inner cap between at least a first position and asecond position, said outer cap defining a second aperture disposedalong said outer cap upper portion such that said second aperture is insubstantial registration with said first aperture when said outer cap isrotated to said first position and out of registration with said firstaperture when said outer cap is rotated to said second position; wherebyrotation of said outer cap to said first position aligns said first andsecond apertures to establish an overall exit flow passageway forcontainer contents from the interior of the container to an exterior ofthe outer cap, and whereby rotation of said outer cap to said secondposition misaligns said first and second apertures to allow said outercap to substantially close off said first aperture.
 13. The reclosabledispensing container cap of claim 12, said inner cap defining a firstperipheral flange proximate said inner cap lower portion, said outer capdefining a lower portion extending toward a perimeter of said firstperipheral flange.
 14. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim13, said outer cap lower portion defining a contoured surface forassisting in gripping said outer cap to rotate said outer cap inrelation to said inner cap.
 15. The reclosable dispensing container capof claim 12, wherein rotation of said outer cap relative to said innercap is limited between said first and second positions.
 16. Thereclosable dispensing container cap of claim 12 further including a slotdefined by one of said inner and outer caps and a stop lug defined bythe other of said inner and outer caps, said stop lug being slidablyreceived within and engaged by said slot to limit rotation of said outercap relative to said inner cap between said first and second positions.17. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim 16, said inner capdefining a second peripheral flange proximate an intersection of saidinner cap central and lower portions, said second peripheral flangedefining said slot.
 18. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim12 further including an indicator for indicating whether said firstaperture is closed off by said outer cap.
 19. The reclosable dispensingcontainer cap of claim 18, wherein an outer surface of said inner capproximate said first aperture is of a color in contrast to a color ofsaid outer cap, whereby inspection of said second aperture to determinewhether said inner cap color is visible through said second apertureprovides indication of whether said first aperture is closed off by saidouter cap.
 20. The reclosable dispensing container cap of claim 12,wherein said upper portion of said outer cap surrounding said secondaperture is of a width less than the width of the remainder of saidouter cap.